The silent harm of polyethylene microplastics: Invertebrates growth inhibition as a warning of the microplastic pollution in continental waters

Castro, Gleyson Borges; Bernegossi, Aline Christine; Pinheiro, Fernanda Rodrigues; Corbi, Juliano José

doi:10.1016/j.limno.2022.125964

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…Another important aspect of the toxic potential of microplastics is their size. According to Castro et al, the particle size may influence the mortality rate in Chironomus spp. The authors suggested that the lethal potential of microplastics increases as the particle size decreases.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…32,46,47 Particularly, the ingestion of microplastics by the species C. sancticaroli has been described in ecotoxicological studies only for particles of nylon (<50 μm) 48 and PE (40−48 μm). 33,49 Thus, these new data allow us to suggest that the ingestion of particles is an important variable and perhaps the main way to be considered for the evaluation of the survival of Chironomus spp., especially of C. sancticaroli.…”

Section: Ingestion Of Ps Spheresmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by Chironomus sancticaroli Larvae

Queiroz,

Prado,

Melo

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Polystyrene (PS) is one of the main synthetic polymers produced around the world, and it is present in the composition of a wide variety of single-use objects. When released into the environment, these materials are degraded by environmental factors, resulting in microplastics. We investigated the ability of Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) to promote the fragmentation of PS microspheres (24.5 ± 2.9 μm) and the toxic effects associated with exposure to this polymer. C. sancticaroli larvae were exposed to 3 different concentrations of PS (67.5, 135, and 270 particles g −1 of dry sediment) for 144 h. Significant lethality was observed only at the highest concentration. A significant reduction in PS particle size as well as evidence of deterioration on the surface of the spheres, such as grooves and cracks, was observed. In addition, changes in oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, MDA, and GST) were also observed. This is the first study to report the ability of Chironomus sp. to promote the biofragmentation of microplastics. The information obtained demonstrates that the macroinvertebrate community can play a key role in the degradation of plastic particles present in the sediment of freshwater environments and can also be threatened by such particle pollution.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ingestion Of Ps Spheresmentioning

confidence: 95%

Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by Chironomus sancticaroli Larvae

Queiroz,

Prado,

Melo

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Recently, plastic monomers from ingested polyethylene (PE) MP were shown to be bioaccessible in standardized tests (Lopez-Vazquez, Rodil et al 2022). Acute exposure to PE MP further seems to impair the growth of water fleas and insects (Castro, Bernegossi et al 2022).…”

Section: Potential Impacts Of Micro-and Nanoplastics On (Human) Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contribution to the harmonization of microplastic analysis in beverages and food

Weißer,

Hofmann

2024

Lebensmittelchemie

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Sampling, sample preparation and particle detection are the key steps in microplastics (MP) analysis. In order to harmonize MP analysis, implementing strict measures for quality assurance and control (QA/QC) for all steps is key. However, especially QA and QC for the analysis of hyperspectral MP data has remained widely neglected. To fill this gap, a transparent and detailed QA/QC method for data analysis based on the automated evaluation of a ground truth reference image is presented.

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“…Paper packaging moisture / oxygen barrier properties are usually increased by using coatings made of conventional plastic, waxes, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) [8]. Polyethylene (PE) is the most commonly used barriers coating which is fossil-fuel origin and in case of biological treatment as product end-of-life or leakage to the environment causes microplastic pollution [20]. Barrier related properties (air permeability, hydrophobicity) of fully green compostable food packaging can be increased by using bio-origin coatings [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grain and beer production by-products (wheat bran, grain production residues and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) application in compostable packaging material. The impact on physical-mechanical and barrier properties

Markeviciute,

Lyytikäinen,

Leminen

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Renewable materials and material circularity are the key priorities of coming decades. Paper is the most used material in the packaging sector, however its applications in the food packaging are limited because of the low barrier properties. When coated with petrol-based polymer barrier coatings it becomes unrecyclable neither mechanically, neither biologically. Bio-coated and made from / with agricultural waste or by-products compostable paper packaging is environmentally favourable solutions that can benefit the biological cycle of the circular economy. The main objective of this study is to review the applicability of grain and beer production by-products application in compostable food packaging materials. The effect of different grain by-products (industrial wheat grain processing residues and wheat bran) particles and concentrations (15wt% and 40wt%) as well as the effect of brewer’s yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) of 10wt% concentration on the physical-mechanical and barrier properties on Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) and chemithermomechanical (CTMP) pulps. The material composites were fabricated using standard sheet forming method. The physical-mechanical properties were analyzed through tensile strength, strain at break, tear resistance and bending stiffness tests. The barrier related properties were analyzed through roughness, air permeance and water contact angle tests. The result reveal that the vast majority physical-mechanical properties decreased with the increase of both type of grain production fillers. Industrial wheat grain processing residues resulted lower impact on physical-mechanical properties than wheat bran filler. Higher percentage properties decrease was absorbed in NBSK pulp than in CTMP. Roughness of CTMP can be improved by adding both – industrial wheat grain processing residues and wheat bran. Wheat bran particles can increase hydrophobicity. CTMP pulp strength properties can be increased with addition of yeast, however yeast additive effect on air permeance demonstrated resulted negative impact. In case of NBSK pulp which has higher primary strength properties, addition of yeast does not make any significant changes. The conducted experiments demonstrated that grain production by-products decreases physical-mechanical properties, but can be applicable and benefit compostable food packaging material production by saving raw materials. The pulp type and filler ratio in must be evaluated on an individual case. Beer production by-product saccharomyces cerevisiae does not make significant difference on material physical-mechanical properties – the yeast-containing samples are generally less mechanically robust but can exhibit flexibility. The effect on barrier properties varies – air permeability of these samples is generally higher however yeast has a positive impact on surface hydrophobicity – paper surface becomes more hydrophobic or less receptive to wetting by liquids.

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The silent harm of polyethylene microplastics: Invertebrates growth inhibition as a warning of the microplastic pollution in continental waters

Cited by 15 publications

References 90 publications

Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by Chironomus sancticaroli Larvae

Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by Chironomus sancticaroli Larvae

A contribution to the harmonization of microplastic analysis in beverages and food

Grain and beer production by-products (wheat bran, grain production residues and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) application in compostable packaging material. The impact on physical-mechanical and barrier properties

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